The evangelist Luke says, “Theophilus, I am writing down the good news of Christ, after thoroughly investigating the facts about the life of Jesus. I interviewed eyewitnesses of Jesus’ ministry and ministers of good news”. Theophilus is believed to be a rich sponsor who funded Luke’s research. The name Theophilus means lover of God [a Christian]. Luke is saying that there is someone, something new in our midst, Jesus and his good news. He comes to free what need to be freed in you. Luke invites us to follow his example of searching, studying and experiencing how Jesus works in us. His presence brings us spiritual freedom that gladdens our hearts, and gives us clear vision and understanding of the purpose of human life. Acceptance of his good news ends all forms of injustice, hatred of others, selfishness, all malice and teaches us to desire harmony with God and others. This is God’s pleasing time in human family. Good news of Christ is the new law of love God puts in human hearts; he calls us to join this program of liberation to heal the brokenness of hearts and that of the world.
The scientist J. P. Deconchy says, “As a scientist, I say: here is what I see in man; this is what he is. I cannot say more. But as a Christian I say: this is what man is and this is what he should be. Since the coming of Christ among us, I cannot think of man without thinking of God or think of God without thinking of man. For this reason the church says: O man, in the innermost part of your being, you are in relation with God; remain in it”. Paul says, this oneness with God also makes us one with our brothers and sisters, the body of Christ; we are interconnected, united in one faith. The reason to love one another is that we are the body of Christ; to love others means to love Christ. So each one of us is important in the church and has special gifts to build the church, the body of Christ. What happens in your personal life, in the family, in the world affects all in the church because we are the body of Christ, and our task is to bring joy and healing to all in this family of God. The parts of the body do not oppose each other. All organs of the body act in union and feel pain and joy as one body. Paul is saying that there is no room for division in church. Our task is to work for unity in the family and in the church [unity in diversity], to give common witness to Christ, his saving love. We are sent to each other as healing, comfort and joy. Poet Horace, “It is your business when the wall next door catches fire”.
Do not be saddened but rejoice in the Lord, says the first reading. Jesus says that the secret of this joy is our life of caring and sharing that brings healing to human family. Anne Bryan, “healing does not take place in time, but it is impossible to believe in that process and feel relief while going through the pain. Yet it is in the encouraging smiles, comforting words, joyful laughter and warm hugs freely given that life is restored to health and wholeness. They are the medicines that heal. Amazing healing takes place when human caring is evidenced and felt”. Proverb 17: 22, “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a down cast spirit dries up the bones”. The power to become a healing presence or a living gospel comes from our prayer and caring life. In prayer we ask God to listen to our heart, touch our brokenness and we realize peace and freedom are necessary for happiness. The liberating good news of Christ helps to grow in us seeds of compassion, love, understanding, forgiveness, and joy, that we may build the body of Christ. Rejoice in the Lord, because we are one in the Spirit and body of Christ!